Switch controlling mechanism



y 25, 1933- J. w. ALLEN 1,920,135

SWITCH CONTROLLING MECHANI SM Filed Oct. 21, 1951 INVENTOR Jase v72 Zllflllen' BY Patented July 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH W. ALLEN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, 'IBY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ECLIPSE AVIATION CORPORATION, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SWITCH CONTROLLING -MECHASNISM Application filed October 21, 1931. Serial No. 570,248.

This invention relates to circuit controlling devices and-particularly to switches of the electro-magnetically actuated type.

An object of the invention is to provide an electro-magnetically actuated switch mechanism adapted to operate in a novel manner making it possible to control a plurality of circuits in response to the energization of a single electro-magnetic device.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel electro-magnetically actuated means for closing a plurality of circuits simultaneously, in combination with mechanical means for opening such circuits simultaneously upon de-energization of the electromagnetic actuating means. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic solenoid switch of a type which is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with a generator designed to feed separate circuits of different voltages.

Generators of this type are commonly used in radio transmission, and when such a generator is installed on an airplane or other vehicle, it is desirable to control the hi h and low voltage circuits leading from t e generator by means ofa remotely disposed switch which may be located in a convenient position accessible to the pilot or operator of the vehicle, the generator circuits themselves being confined .to a location in proximitv to the battery, thus allowing the battery leads to be as short as possible. In practice, however, it has frequently been found to be difiicult to install a multiple contact solenoid switch in this ideal location because of the space occupied by such units as heretofore employed. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to rovide a solenoid switch mechanism which 1s capable of controlling a plurality of circuits, the

. construction and manner of operation thereof being such 'as to achieve an important economy in the matter of space occupied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solenoid switch mechanism which is positive in its action, but which nevertheless operates with small current consumption.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solenoid switch mechanism in which the moving parts will so respondto the electro-magnetic action as to produce firm contact with the cooperating stationary switch elements with a minimum consumption of current and a maximum effectiveness on the part of the electro-magnetic field.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the foregoing character which is comparatively small and of light.

weight, so as to make it possible to provide a quick clean break of the contactsby the use of a comparatively slight mechanically applied force. I

These and other objects of the invention Wlll be apparent u on an examination of the following speci cation when'readwith reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawing is merely illustrative and is not" deslgned. to indicate the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view through a deviceembodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in sectional elevation taken along lines 2.-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4. is a; view along line 4-4 of Figure 1; c

Figure 5 is a view of certain of the parts on a reduced scale; and

Figure 6 is a view of the parts shown in Figure 5, but with the contacts in closed position.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figure 1, the reference characters '10 and 11 designate the two sections of the housing in which the invention is shown to be embodied, the sections 10 and 11 each having half tubes 12, 13, and 15 projecting .radially therefrom to permit entry of the cables encasing the leads for the solenoid coil 14 and the contacts 'of the switches controlled by the energization ofsaid coil;

14. The casing section 10 is provided with ears 16 (Figure 2) adapted to abut the corresponding ears 17 on the cup-shaped section 11, the two casing sections being socured by screws or other means 18 passing through the openings in the cars 16 and 17. Fitting within the cylindrical portion of section 10 is an insulating sleeve 20 having apertures 21 and 22 adapted to register with the openings in the tubes 12 and 13, respectively, and a third aperture (not shown) registering with tube 15.

Associated with the solenoid winding 14 is an armature 25 secured to the end of centrally disposed pin 26 by suitable means as indicated at 27, pin 26 being rotatably journalled in the sleeve 28, which sleeve constitutes part of the cup-shaped shell 29 which houses the solenoid winding 14. The opposite end of the pin 26 has secured thereto one end of a coiled leaf spring 30, the outer end of which is anchored in a suitable slot provided in the supporting and insulating plate 32; Plate 32 has additional annular slots for reception of the spaced insulating sleeves 31, and is further provided with openings 33 to receive the rivets 34 by which the solenoid shell 29 is held in place. -The plate 32 is further provided with radially disposed openings for reception of the desired number of terminal posts (shown best in Figure 2), which number in the present embodiment happens to be seven. Of these seven, the terminals 36 and 38 represent the positive and negative terminals for the high voltage leads connect-- ing with, for example, a radio generator, and the terminals 37 and 39, the positive and negative terminals of the high voltage leads connecting with the radio set or other unit to be energized from said generator. Likewise, terminals 40 and 41 represent the terminals of a low voltage circuit from the same generator, the terminal 40 also serving, in conjunction with terminal 42, for attachment of the ends of the winding of the solenoid 14.

The solenoid shell 29, according to the present invention, is a factor in the opera tion and control of the circuits through the terminals above described, and coacts with the solenoid proper to cause a rotary movement of the armature 25 in response to energization of winding 14. This coaction is brought aboutby imparting an elliptical formation to theinner surface of the cylindrical portion of the shell 29, as a result of which formation (shown best in Figure 3), the magnetic lines of force created on energization of the solenoid winding 14 tend to rotate the armature '25 from its normal, horizontally disposed position (indicated in dash lines in Figure 3) to the vertical position indicated in full lines in Figure 3, the air gap between the ends of the armature 25 and the inner surface of the shell 29 being a minimum in the latter position and a maximum in the horizontal position, due to and 62 (shown in Figure 4).

the aforesaid elliptical inner surface of the shell.

The means for simultaneously closing the circuits through the pairs of terminals 38 39, 36-37, and 40-41 preferably comprises an insulating disc 50 secured to the armature 25 by suitable means 51', so as to be rotatable therewith, the disc 50 having also secured thereto, in appropriate angularly spaced positions, the resilient contact fingers 53 having their ends held in place on the disc by suitable means 54 and their opposite ends flexed to move into firm contact with metallic angle pieces 55, the latter being in engagement with the terminal members 36, 37, 38, and 39, respectively. These angular pieces 55 are provided with inclined faces, as indicated in Figure 3, as a result of which the resilient fingers '53, upon rotation in uni 'son with the armature 25, establish firm contact with the respective strips 55, thereby completing circuits through the associated pairs of terminals, said pairs being electrically connected by conducting strips 61 At the same time, a pin 65 on disc 50 engages the resilient finger 66 with which the terminal 40 contacts and moves the said finger 66 into contact with the associated finger 67 (shown best in Figures 5 and 6). This action closes a circuit through terminals 40 and 41 to complete the low voltage circuit through said fingers to the radio apparatus or other unit to be energized.

When it is desired to reopen the circuits, the current to the solenoid winding 14 may be cut off by any suitable means not shown, whereupon the spring 30, stressed during the movement of the armature 25 to switch closing position, unwinds itself and thus returns the armature to its normal, horizontally disposed position, such action opening each of the circuits above described.

There is thus disclosed a solenoid switch mechanism in which a plurality of circuits are controlled by the use of a minimum number of parts so disposed and controlled as to permit assembly of the complete unit in a comparatively small space and hence making itpossible to locate the device in proximity to the generator or other electrical unit to be controlled, and also in proximity to the battery from which the leads proceed. Moreover, the manner in which the electromagnetic action operates on the armature 25 insures a positive actuation of the switch with a' minimum of current consumption, while the arrangement of the members 53 and 55 insures the maintenance of firm contact so long as the solenoid remains energized.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that the illustrated embodiment is not exclusive of various other embodiments which will be suggested to those skilled in the art upon examination of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawing, and that said skilled persons may change the arrangement;'number and proportion of the parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, an electro-magnet having an oscillatable armature, and a shell enclosing said electro-magnet and armature, said shell having an internal cylindrical surface of substantially elliptical cross-section.

2. In a device of the class described, an oscillatable contact carrying arm, a shell enclosing said arm, said shell having an internal cylindrical surface of substantially elliptical cross-section, means for normally maintaining said armature contact carrying arm with its longitudinal axis in line with the major axis of said elliptical cross-section, and means for moving said arm from said normal position to a position at right angles thereto.

3. In a device of the class described, a shell having an internal cylindrical surface of substantially elliptical cross-section, an insulating support for said shell, a plurality of angularly spaced contact elements secured to said support, a corresponding number of contact fingers connected for movement in unison, and normally disposed in the plane of said contact elements but angularly spaced therefrom, and means for swinging said contact fingers into contact with the corresponding contact elements, said last named means including a member normally disposed with its longitudinal axis in line with the major axis of said elliptical cross-section, and movable from said position to a position at right angles thereto.

4. In a device of the class described, a shell having an internal cylindrical surface of substantially elliptical cross-section, an insulating support for said shell, a plurality of angularly spaced contact elements secured to said support, a corresponding number of contact fingers connected for movement in unison, and normally disposed in the plane of said contact elements but angularly spaced therefrom, and means for swinging said contact fingers into contact with the corresponding contact elements, said last named means comprising an arm movable within said shell and about the axis thereof.

5. In a device of the class described, an electro-magnet having a surrounding shell, a common insulating support for said electro-magnet in shell, a plurality of angularly spaced contact elements secured to said sup;

port, a corresponding number of contact fingers connected for movement in unison and normally disposed in the plane of said contact elements but angularlyspaced therefrom, means for swinging said contact fingers into contact with the corresponding contact elements in response to energization of said electro-magnet, and resilient means for returning said contact fingers to their normal positions upon de-energization of said coil, and a plunger extending through said electro-magnet and operatively connecting' said resilient means with said contact fingers.

6. In a device of the class described, an electro-magnet having a surrounding shell, a common insulating support for said electro-magnet and shell, a plurality of angularly spaced contact elements secured to said support, a corresponding numbenof contact fingers connected for movement in unison and normally disposed in the plane of said contact elements but angularly spaced therefrom, means for swinging said contact fingers into contact with the corresponding contact elements in response to energization of said electro-magnet, said 'last named means comprising an armature movable within said shell and about the axis thereof, resilient means for returning said contact fingers to their normal positions upon deenergization of said coil and a plunger extending through said electro-magnet and operatively connecting said resilient means with said armature.

7. In a device of the class described, an electro-magnet having an oscillatable arm and a surrounding shell, a common insulating support for said electro-magnet and shell, a plurality of angularly spaced contact elements secured to said support, a corresponding number of contact fingers connected to said armature for movement in unison therewith and normally disposed in the plane of said contact elements but angularly spaced therefrom, means for swinglng said contact fingers into contact with the corresponding contact elements in response to energization of said electro-magnet, a plunger extending through said electro-magnet and operatively connected with said armature, and resilient means engageable at one end with said support and operatively connected at the other end with said armature for returning the latter to its initial position upon de-energization of said electro-magnet.

8. In a device .of the class described, an electro-magnet comprising a winding, and a shell surrounding said winding, said shell constituting a path for the magnetic field resulting from energization of said winding, an armature associated with said Winding and disposed atall times within said shell, means normally maintaining said armature in a position providing a maximum air gap between said armature and said shell, and means responsive to energization of said electro-magnet for swinging said armature into a position aifording minimum 'air gapbetween said armature and said shell.

9. In a device of the class described, a cupshaped shell of magnetic material, a coil mounted Within said shell, an armature also mounted Within said shell and oscillatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, a sleeve of insulating material surrounding said shell, a plurality of contacts resting on said sleeve at angularly spaced intervals thereon, switch means movable into enga ement with said contacts upon oscillation 0 said armature i i-response to energization of said coil) and means extending through said coil for Withdrawing said switch means upon deenergization of said coil. JOSEPH W. ALLEN. 

